Tem que vs. Precisa: How to Say “Have To” and “Need To” in Portuguese
Compare two common patterns for saying that you or someone else needs to do something.
Real Life Portuguese · 8 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Ter que + infinitive is a common way to say that someone has to do something. In Brazilian Portuguese, the form changes with the subject: eu tenho que sair, você tem que esperar, nós temos que estudar, and vocês têm que confirmar. In casual conversation, a gente tem que uses tem because a gente is grammatically singular.
Use tem que for a clear obligation or requirement
This pattern works for schedules, rules, and necessary actions. The English translation may be “have to” or “must,” depending on how strong the requirement feels in context. Learn it as a complete phrase with the subject and infinitive.
Tenho que sair às sete.
I have to leave at seven.
Você tem que mostrar o ingresso na entrada.
You have to show your ticket at the entrance.
A gente tem que confirmar a reserva.
We have to confirm the reservation.
Use precisar de or precisar + infinitive for a need
Precisar means to need. Before a noun, use precisar de: preciso de ajuda (I need help). Before an action, use precisar + infinitive: preciso falar com você (I need to talk with you). In everyday Brazilian usage, both patterns are common and useful.
Conjugate precisar for the subject: eu preciso, você precisa, a gente precisa, nós precisamos, and vocês precisam. Notice the difference between ter and precisar; choose the pattern that expresses whether you are stating an obligation or describing a need.
Preciso de uma informação.
I need some information.
Ela precisa falar com o gerente.
She needs to speak with the manager.
Precisamos de mais tempo.
We need more time.
Compare the patterns and make them negative
Compare Tenho que trabalhar amanhã (I have to work tomorrow) with Preciso trabalhar amanhã (I need to work tomorrow). They may describe the same situation, but ter que often highlights an obligation or requirement while precisar focuses on necessity. Context and tone influence the difference.
To make either pattern negative, place não before the conjugated verb: não tenho que ir (I don’t have to go) or não preciso ir (I don’t need to go). These usually express absence of obligation, though the exact meaning depends on what follows and the situation.
Hoje não tenho que trabalhar.
I don’t have to work today.
Você não precisa trazer comida.
You don’t need to bring food.
A gente precisa comprar as passagens, mas não precisa comprar agora.
We need to buy the tickets, but we don’t need to buy them now.
Use the patterns to describe your real routine
Write three things you need to do this week and three things you are required to do. Use precisar for needs and ter que for clear commitments, then check whether both could fit a particular situation. This helps you learn the distinction without treating it as an absolute rule.
Connect this lesson with Real Life Portuguese guides to polite requests, appointments, and daily routines. I Speak Portuguese teachers can ask follow-up questions so you can explain what you need to do and why. Listen to the verb ending and the infinitive as one phrase.
Tenho que entregar o relatório até sexta-feira.
I have to submit the report by Friday.
Preciso descansar depois da viagem.
I need to rest after the trip.
Vocês têm que chegar cedo ou só precisam chegar antes das oito?
Do you have to arrive early, or do you just need to arrive before eight?
Put it into practice
Use ter que + infinitive for an obligation and precisar de + noun or precisar + infinitive for a need. Both patterns can overlap in context.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “She needs to speak with the manager”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.